CarBrief

The 2006 Highlander has more NHTSA complaints than any other Highlander model year on file, 648 in total[1][2]. It also has 11 recalls, so check that every one has been done on the exact car you are looking at[2].

648owner complaints[1]
11recalls[2]
19–27MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 648 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 63 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 40 injuries and 3 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The largest groups by complaint count are:

Component group Complaints Crashes Median miles at failure
Brakes[4] 211 20 104,181
Electrical system[5] 100 1 113,500
Engine[6] 93 2 100,070
Speed control[7] 76 27 53,500
Hybrid propulsion system[8] 46 1 108,000

Brakes. In a sample of 12 brake complaints we read, 6 describe weak, long-travel or intermittently lost braking, and 3 describe the car moving or surging forward while the driver is braking[4]. The brake group has 8 injuries reported[4].

Electrical system and hybrid. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 7 name a failed hybrid inverter, often with a sudden shutdown on the highway, and 3 mention a dead battery[5]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 7 describe stalling or losing power while driving, and most of those name a Highlander Hybrid[6]. The hybrid propulsion group has 46 complaints of its own[8].

Speed control. This group is smaller, but it has 27 crashes, 17 injuries and 3 deaths reported[7]. In a sample of 12 texts we read, 7 describe the vehicle surging or lunging forward[7]. Four describe hesitation and lurching at low speed. Two of those four texts are identical[7].

These samples are small. They show what owners describe, not how often a problem happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Several of these notices cover only certain vehicles, such as the hybrid or certain build dates. Check any car you are considering by VIN with NHTSA or a Toyota dealer.

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions. Ratings are city / highway / combined miles per gallon, with EPA's estimated annual fuel cost.

Version MPG Annual fuel cost
2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[20] 19 / 25 / 22 $3,050
2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[21] 17 / 23 / 19 $3,550
4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[22] 18 / 23 / 20 $3,350
4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd[23] 16 / 22 / 19 $3,550
Hybrid 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl[3] 28 / 25 / 27 $2,500
Hybrid 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl[24] 27 / 25 / 26 $2,600

The hybrid versions have the best city ratings[3][24]. Annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door FWD/AWD version a rollover rating of 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 17.4%[25]. The 4-door FWD/AWD hybrid is listed as not rated[26].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to inches and pounds, and they can differ slightly from US models[27].

Highlander 4WD V6 Highlander Hybrid FWD
Length[27][28] 185 in 185 in
Width[27][28] 72 in 72 in
Height[27][28] 69 in 69 in
Wheelbase[27][28] 107 in 107 in
Curb weight[27][28] 3,880 lb 3,935 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2001: 137 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 301 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 258 complaints, 2 recalls2004: 286 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 225 complaints, 6 recalls2006: 648 complaints, 11 recalls64820062007: 234 complaints, 6 recalls20072008: 602 complaints, 12 recalls2009: 174 complaints, 10 recalls2010: 238 complaints, 11 recalls20102011: 186 complaints, 5 recalls2012: 191 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 212 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 138 complaints, 4 recalls2015: 196 complaints, 1 recalls2016: 117 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 274 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 274 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 506 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 330 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 546 complaints, 5 recalls2022: 269 complaints, 6 recalls20222023: 197 complaints, 9 recalls2024: 43 complaints, 7 recalls2025: 10 complaints, 4 recalls20252026: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Highlander model year. The 2006 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20011373
20023012
20032582
20042865
20052256
200664811
20072346
200860212
200917410
201023811
20111865
20121912
20132123
20141384
20151961
20161172
20172743
20182744
20195063
20203305
20215465
20222696
20231979
2024437
2025104
202640

Among the 26 Highlander model years NHTSA lists, 2006 has the most complaints at 648[2]. The next highest is 2008 with 602[2]. For recalls, 2008 has 12, while 2006 and 2010 each have 11[2].

Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so use them as a rough guide to compare years of the same model.

Should you buy a used 2006 Highlander?

This model year draws more owner complaints than any other Highlander year on file[2]. The complaint samples we read point to braking, surging forward, and hybrid inverter shutdowns[4][7][5]. The inverter and accelerator pedal recalls matter most, so ask for proof that each recall was done[11][13][14][19]. A hybrid costs less to fuel, by EPA estimates[20][21][3][22][23][24], but the hybrid-specific complaints and recalls make a careful inspection worth it[8][11][13]. Treat the complaint themes as signals to check, since they come from small samples.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Toyota Highlander?
By complaint count, brakes lead with 211, then electrical system with 100 and engine with 93[4][5][6]. Owners in the samples we read describe weak braking, hybrid shutdowns and forward surging[4][5][7].
How many recalls does the 2006 Highlander have?
NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover the hybrid inverter, accelerator pedal carpet cover, brake master cylinder seal, crankshaft pulley, seat heaters and load labels[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19].
What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Highlander?
EPA combined ratings range from 19 MPG for the 3.3L V6 versions to 27 MPG for the Hybrid 2WD[21][23][3].
Is 2006 the worst year for the Highlander?
It has the most complaints of the 26 years listed, 648 against 602 for 2008[2]. For recalls, 2008 is higher with 12 against 11[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 648 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Toyota Highlander (63 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 40 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Highlander model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Highlander Hybrid 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 25 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 211 complaints name the brakes component group (20 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,181). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 100 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 113,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 93 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,070). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 76 complaints name the speed control component group (27 crashes, 1 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 46 complaints name the hybrid propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 108,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. Recall 16V396, filed June 2, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
  10. Recall 14V743, filed November 19, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
  11. Recall 13V396, filed September 4, 2013: Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 11V539, filed November 9, 2011: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 11V342, filed June 29, 2011: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 11V112, filed February 24, 2011: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 10V499, filed October 21, 2010: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 10V035, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 10V036, filed February 3, 2010: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 09V223, filed June 15, 2009: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 06V253, filed July 13, 2006: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
  20. EPA rating for Highlander 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Highlander 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Highlander 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Highlander 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Highlander Hybrid 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 25 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HIGHLANDER 4DR SUV 4WD V6: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,880 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4DR SUV FWD: length 185 in, width 72 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,935 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.